Pakistan is preparing for the 2027 Cricket World Cup with this ODI series against Bangladesh. The series is seen as a crucial opportunity for both teams to test their line-ups and strategies ahead of the major tournament.
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As the series approaches, Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi confirmed that three players will make their ODI debuts against Bangladesh. The debutants include Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Shamyl Hussain. Afridi highlighted Sahibzada Farhan’s impressive performance, noting that he scored a record 383 runs in seven matches during the T20 World Cup 2026.
In a notable shift, Pakistan has dropped established players Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Saim Ayub from the team for this series. This decision indicates a strategic move to explore new talent and build a stronger squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Shaheen Afridi expressed excitement about the debutants, stating, “There will be like three debuts, of course. Sahibzada is the top performer in T20s and also in List ‘A’ cricket for Pakistan.” He added, “We are excited to see them play for Pakistan, not just for one series but with the future in mind.”
On the other side, Bangladesh comes into the series after a victory over the West Indies in their most recent ODI. Mehidy Hasan Miraz continues to lead the team despite facing challenges in previous matches.
The first ODI is scheduled to take place on March 11, 2026, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, starting at 1:45 PM IST. However, the match will not be telecast on any channel in India, although it will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website.
As both teams gear up for this series, observers are keen to see how the new players perform and how the teams adapt their strategies in preparation for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. Bangladesh is recognized as a formidable opponent, and Afridi acknowledged their recent form, stating, “Bangladesh are a good side, and they played well against the West Indies. But we are also ready.”